Head to head: Mercedes-AMG C63 S vs BMW M3

V8 cruiser meets six-cylinder scalpel in a duel to the death.

Head to head: Mercedes-AMG C63 S vs BMW M3

V8 cruiser meets six-cylinder scalpel in a duel to the death.

22 Apr 2016David McCowen

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Head to head: Mercedes-AMG C63 S vs BMW M3

22 Apr 2016David McCowen

Value:

Mercedes: The C63 is the most expensive car in its class, though it does come with plenty of gear. There is everything you'll find standard on the class-leading C-Class sedan, plus an aggressive bodykit, sports interior and more. LED lights and 19-inch wheels are standard, as is Nappa leather trim and a panoramic sunroof. There's a 360 degree parking camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, anti-theft alarm and head-up display.

Naturally, basics such as Bluetooth connectivity, climate control are included on both cars here. White, black, silver and blue paint is free, while special 'designo' tones are available as optional extras.

BMW: The M3 costs a full $16,000 less than its key rival, but it doesn't want for equipment.

It takes a similar approach to the C63 by building on the 3-Series platform, but it goes further by using unique rear guards and a lightweight carbon-fibre roof that means it will never be mistaken for a regular model – or a Mercedes.

Like the AMG, it has surround-view cameras, head-up display, LED headlights and a web-capable infotainment system as well as the usual niceties. The M3 is available in a wider variety of colours including orange, yellow and bright blue tones.

The new Mercedes-AMG C63 S takes on BMW's M3. Photo: Lucas Kennedy

Winner: BMW

Inside:

Mercedes: The C-Class is a clear winner for interior presentation at any trim level – including the AMG flagship. The C63 builds on the regular car's tablet-style multimedia display and aviation-inspired air vents with tactile open-pore wood and brushed aluminium trim that extends to metal grilles for its 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound stereo.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 S impresses as a luxury car. Photo: Supplied

The infotainment system includes a 10GB music hard drive with Bluetooth, USB and voice activation, though neither car here yet features the latest smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration.

Mercedes' steering wheel is a highlight, with a racelike squared-off shape and suede handgrips that lend a motorsport vibe echoed by well-bolstered seats that offer plenty of support.

It's not perfect – particularly from a performance perspective – as the Mercedes' seat is a little high-set, and its column-mounted gear selector would feel more at home in a Toyota Tarago than at Targa Tasmania. The handbrake is of the electric, auto-lock and release type.

BMW: The 3-Series has a busier layout with more buttons than the Mercedes, a slightly fussy space that doesn't feel as luxurious as the Benz. It's still beautifully finished, with thick leather joining carbon-fibre trim that lends a purposeful vibe.

Inside the new BMW M3 Photo: Supplied

Though it doesn't look as pretty as Mercedes' Burmester unit, BMW's 16-speaker Harmon Kardon surround sound stereo is an excellent unit, and its 8.8-inch letterbox display feels more integrated within the car.

While the Mercedes is more likely to impress the neighbours, the BMW is the driver's pick from a seating and posture perspective. The M3's pumped-up seat drops far lower than the Benz' barstool, and it has a greater degree of steering adjustment to allow drivers to adopt the perfect driving position. BMW uses more conventional controls – there's a proper gear selector and manual handbrake.

Mercedes: The new C63 features a significantly smaller engine than its predecessor, dropping from 6.2 to 4.0 litres in size. It makes up for the lost capacity with a pair of turbochargers that feed plenty of boost into the motor, helping it produce an outstanding 375kW of power and 700Nm in torque.

That's enough for the AMG to rip to 100km/h in just 4.0 seconds – not bad for a family-sized luxury sedan. But the way it goes about its business is even more impressive, with a deep-chested, rumbling exhaust note and effortless performance in every situation that leaves you in no doubt that this is a modern muscle car. There's a delicious – if slightly contrived - crackle and pop from the exhaust on gear changes, and an appetite for trouble that fits the AMG's modern gangster image.

That purposeful vibe continues in a seven-speed automatic transmission that feels fantastic at full chat but a bit awkward around town, where it can produce the occasional jerky shift. It's relatively green for a car of this nature, disconnecting the driveline to save fuel in a clever 'sailing' setup in comfort mode that helps it use 8.6L/100km of fuel. A difference of just 0.3L/100km over the M3 is fairly impressive considering this is a much heavier and more powerful machine.

BMW: Like the Mercedes, BMW has substituted a free-breathing V8 for a smaller turbocharged motor, in this case dropping from a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine.

The motor officially produces 317kW of power and 550Nm of torque, though it feels a fair bit fitter than that, blasting to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds. It is a surging, urgent powertrain that loves to rev and punches hard, zinging through its rev range with less inertia than the bigger Benz' unit. But the BMW's voice is a little flat and artificial inside the cabin – which is odd, as it has a delicious rasp from the outside – and its power delivery is a little binary in this company. The BMW is more black and white, on or off than the Mercedes, which has more shades on its palette.

BMW's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the better unit, capable of being smoother at low speed and sharper when set to its most aggressive modes. Few self-shifting transmissions will chirp the rear tyres on a full-throttle upshift. This one will.

The M3 is one of the few remaining holdouts that offer a manual transmission as a no-cost option – a true rarity in modern performance cars – though the vast majority of customers stick with the dual-clutch auto. While it may be outgunned here, a more powerful 331kW engine will soon be available in the M3 Competition option pack.

Winner: Mercedes

How it drives:

Mercedes: While the previous C63 AMG was something of a straight-line hotrod, the new model has a much broader spectrum of ability. It's a hoot around town, with effortless torque, a thumping soundtrack and well-honed controls that make it a pleasure to drive at any speed.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 S is satisfying in any scenario. Photo: Lucas Kennedy

Up the tempo and the Mercedes' quick, well-weighted steering becomes an ally as the car reveals fine body control during bumps and direction changes. While their outer dimensions are quite similar, the AMG feels like a bigger car than the M3, probably because it weighs 300 kilograms more than its German rival. That lends a stable, tied-down character to the Merc, which feels planted until you get overly greedy with the throttle.

Mercedes-AMG supplies the C63 with a three-stage stability control to cater to most drivers and situations. There are fully on and off modes, as well as a middle-ground "sport handling mode" that allows you to explore its dynamic ability while protected by an electronic safety net. Testing on a private road reveals that it's a willing performer that enjoys a skid or two, working with the driver to have a good time in the right environment.

Our test model benefited from a $9900 carbon ceramic front brake package that offered easily controllable and dependable stopping power, though we know the standard setup is up to the job with previous time on track at the wheel of that car.

BMW: The M3 has always been the dynamic benchmark in its class. That changes a little here, as this model – the fastest M3 ever sold here – is a little less approachable than its predecessors. Sharp is the word of the day, with pointy steering, firm suspension and a peaky driveline conspiring to reward experienced drivers and punish those without measured inputs.

The BMW M3 offers more precision. Photo: Lucas Kennedy

The M3's steering is quick but quite heavy off-centre, with little feel to inform you of what's happening on the front axle. It's a more precise machine than the C63, feeling far more alert and kinetic than its heavier rival, but it's also snappier and more likely to punish drivers who do the wrong thing. We drove the cars in a variety of conditions and found the M3 to be a car to be wary of in the wet – its power arrives in a hurry and the car's lighter weight makes it more likely to kick out. Fun on a track or private road, but a little intimidating in the wrong environment.

This is a better track car than the C63 save for its ordinary brakes, which started rumbling soon after we left public highways. That can be fixed by ceramic stoppers on both axles which are available for an extra $15,000 – or perhaps by more aggressive brake pads for a lot less than that. It has superior balance to the bigger Mercedes, though it feels slightly disconnected alongside its more analogue rival.

The M3 has a similar stability control setup to the AMG, with on, off and "M Dynamic Mode" settings to its safety net as well as a variety of settings for the steering, suspension and drivetrain. Drivers can tailor the car to their liking and save pre-set preferences accessed by "M" buttons on the steering wheel, a pleasant trait that reinforces the slightly digital nature of this car. Both cars wear 19-inch wheels and excellent Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres with plenty of grip – you have to be going quite hard to get them slithering around.

Winner: Draw

X Factor:

Mercedes: No one could deny that Mercedes-Benz is on a roll. It is the most successful luxury car brand in Australia, the AMG lineup has never been so comprehensive – or appealing – and its F1 team is making the likes of Ferrari look silly. There's a real buzz about Mercedes-AMG at the moment, one that continues with this sedan. While it's a newer moniker than BMW's classic M3, the C63 name has plenty of pull in Australia, where a love of V8-powered sedans runs deep.

It sounds amazing and stays true to the AMG recipe of turning fine luxury cars into outstanding road warriors. There are plenty of options for those who want to take it further, with carbon fibre dress-up packs and blingy alloy wheels on the menu, though to my eyes it isn't quite as sharp to look at as the M3.

BMW: Few badges have more performance-car pull than "BMW M3", a name that has always stood for greatness in the performance car segment. BMW could probably put a four-cylinder diesel engine into this car and sell it on the strength of the badge. We're glad they don't.

For what it's worth, I reckon the M3 looks loads better than its rival. The pumped arches, deeply dished wheel, carbon fibre roof and quad exhausts lend a more purposeful stance than the Mercedes, which could be mistaken for a diesel C-Class equipped with AMG's popular dress-up pack. It's the edgier, more focused car of the pair. While the C63 reveals its character immediately, the M3 grows on you over a longer time. There's no doubt this car deserves the badge.

Winner: BMW

Verdict:

Mercedes: The Mercedes-AMG C63 is the consummate sports sedan. It's a pleasure in all environments, one that blends the role of luxury cruiser and bare-knuckle bruiser better than anything else on sale.

BMW: The BMW M3 is a sharper, more focused machine with a narrower focus and, if we're honest, a more limited appeal. It's still an amazing drive, but it's no longer the default choice in the class.